Well, so we didn't last three months. Whose idea was that anyway?
Truth be known, we were just all tired of traveling and hotels and driving, so we decided just to come home. We have seen some really amazing places and we've met some of the most interesting people on the planet. We did manage to travel through 20 states in 30 days, so that is quite an accomplishment, especially when you've gone through California and Texas.
But we've left some for next time, too. Who knows? Maybe next time will be the northern part of the US. I would love to see the Amish communities and the east coast in the fall. Maine lobster is a must. And now that I've had fried dill pickles in Tennessee, I gotta go back and have more of that, too.
All said and done, I'm very glad we did it. Fun was had by all.
Thanks for following us and thanks for caring enough to check up on us once in a while,
All our love,
The Walsh Tribe
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Sunday, July 5, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Day 25, Little Rock, Arkansas
We barely made it out of our room by 11:00 a.m., which is check-out time. The time zone thing is still killing us. Either that or we’re just lazy.
Anyway, up and out the door at 10:59:59:59 a.m. Again, first thing on the agenda is food. At this point the hotel breakfast buffet has been put away for at least an hour, so that’s out. The only place to grab a bite was Arby’s and I really hate fast food for breakfast, but there really was no other choice. So Arby’s it was. We had milkshakes since none of us could stomach a roast beef sandwich for breakfast, especially not one with that nasty ‘processed cheese food product’ on it.
Three hours north of Canton is Memphis, Tennessee. And just right of Memphis is a town called Germantown, Tennessee. It’s my new favorite place. The sign ordinances in Germantown are the most strict (I can’t say strictest, it’s weird) in the country, and you can really tell. The tallest things in the city are the trees, and it’s wonderful! The buildings are all Germanish, but not overly heavy with it. The architecture is there, but it doesn’t have the cutesy little German dolls on everything. It is the perfect balance.
We had a fabulous lunch in town (which has a Super-Target and plenty of Starbucks!!) that was started off with an appetizer of fried dill pickles. Totally weird, I know, but surprisingly good!! (You have to try new food in new places, otherwise you might as well eat every meal at Denny’s.) I had hickory smoked pork chops with steamed broccoli. I don’t know what anyone else had…I was busy mowing. We all shared an apple cobbler for dessert that was just supreme. I love that place. I love that town.
There is supposedly an old downtown Germantown somewhere. It’s probably the largest old downtown in the world of its kind, but I couldn’t find it. So we just hit the road and headed back to Memphis. Memphis sits on the very edge of the Mississippi River, which is the natural border between it and Arkansas. Hence the really wiggly line on the map – it’s the river. Earned a Smart Badge today.
Made it into Little Rock just at dusk, found our cabin, and the kids headed for the pool. It was much cooler today, thankfully, but the pool was still refreshing. They have fireflies here. Now I don’t know about you, but this makes like the second time I’ve ever seen them and I think they are the neatest thing ever. I flashed the light on my cell phone and attracted one of them. I think he was disappointed when he got a closer look though. Evidently I’m not his type.
Off to bed. Actually off to not sleep while the rest of camp is snoozing. I’m writing this at 12:56 a.m. local time and we are all wide awake texting family and friends back home. ;o)
Anyway, up and out the door at 10:59:59:59 a.m. Again, first thing on the agenda is food. At this point the hotel breakfast buffet has been put away for at least an hour, so that’s out. The only place to grab a bite was Arby’s and I really hate fast food for breakfast, but there really was no other choice. So Arby’s it was. We had milkshakes since none of us could stomach a roast beef sandwich for breakfast, especially not one with that nasty ‘processed cheese food product’ on it.
Three hours north of Canton is Memphis, Tennessee. And just right of Memphis is a town called Germantown, Tennessee. It’s my new favorite place. The sign ordinances in Germantown are the most strict (I can’t say strictest, it’s weird) in the country, and you can really tell. The tallest things in the city are the trees, and it’s wonderful! The buildings are all Germanish, but not overly heavy with it. The architecture is there, but it doesn’t have the cutesy little German dolls on everything. It is the perfect balance.
We had a fabulous lunch in town (which has a Super-Target and plenty of Starbucks!!) that was started off with an appetizer of fried dill pickles. Totally weird, I know, but surprisingly good!! (You have to try new food in new places, otherwise you might as well eat every meal at Denny’s.) I had hickory smoked pork chops with steamed broccoli. I don’t know what anyone else had…I was busy mowing. We all shared an apple cobbler for dessert that was just supreme. I love that place. I love that town.
There is supposedly an old downtown Germantown somewhere. It’s probably the largest old downtown in the world of its kind, but I couldn’t find it. So we just hit the road and headed back to Memphis. Memphis sits on the very edge of the Mississippi River, which is the natural border between it and Arkansas. Hence the really wiggly line on the map – it’s the river. Earned a Smart Badge today.
Made it into Little Rock just at dusk, found our cabin, and the kids headed for the pool. It was much cooler today, thankfully, but the pool was still refreshing. They have fireflies here. Now I don’t know about you, but this makes like the second time I’ve ever seen them and I think they are the neatest thing ever. I flashed the light on my cell phone and attracted one of them. I think he was disappointed when he got a closer look though. Evidently I’m not his type.
Off to bed. Actually off to not sleep while the rest of camp is snoozing. I’m writing this at 12:56 a.m. local time and we are all wide awake texting family and friends back home. ;o)
Day 24, Canton, Mississippi
Time to pack our bags and head down the trail. Our first stop was New Orleans. Tia had never been, so we went to the French Quarter and walked up and down Bourbon Street. Finding a parking spot was no easy task, but we finally spotted a garage off Canal Street and we paid the meter six bucks for ten hours. Now that’s a deal. I suppose we were just really lucky our stuff didn’t walk away while we were gone, but as you’ll see, we didn’t give it much of a chance.
The main goal at this point was food. We walked just half a block back to Canal Street and found a lovely diner. It was just a couple doors down from the Ritz, so the neighborhood was good. They made chicken strips out of real chicken, and they weren’t shaped like stars or crowns, so the kids were impressed. All in all, a great meal.
Bourbon Street is only about three blocks down from the Ritz, so we did the backstroke down to Bourbon Street. Once on Bourbon, we set a new World Record for speed walking up and down the approximately eight blocks of the rankest, trashiest and most foul smelling street in New Orleans. It was especially ripe on this day given the 110% humidity and the temperature of 105.
Ten minutes later we were back in the van and headed down the trail.
I wanted to catch the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway on the way north, but alas it was not to be. Turns out I couldn’t find that either. It’s the largest bridge of its type on the planet, and I couldn’t find it. It’s about 38 miles long, and I couldn’t find it. Another badge down the drain.
So we ended our travel at Canton, a nice little town just north of Jackson, Mississippi. We took a dip in the pool, ordered pizza and called it a night.
The main goal at this point was food. We walked just half a block back to Canal Street and found a lovely diner. It was just a couple doors down from the Ritz, so the neighborhood was good. They made chicken strips out of real chicken, and they weren’t shaped like stars or crowns, so the kids were impressed. All in all, a great meal.
Bourbon Street is only about three blocks down from the Ritz, so we did the backstroke down to Bourbon Street. Once on Bourbon, we set a new World Record for speed walking up and down the approximately eight blocks of the rankest, trashiest and most foul smelling street in New Orleans. It was especially ripe on this day given the 110% humidity and the temperature of 105.
Ten minutes later we were back in the van and headed down the trail.
I wanted to catch the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway on the way north, but alas it was not to be. Turns out I couldn’t find that either. It’s the largest bridge of its type on the planet, and I couldn’t find it. It’s about 38 miles long, and I couldn’t find it. Another badge down the drain.
So we ended our travel at Canton, a nice little town just north of Jackson, Mississippi. We took a dip in the pool, ordered pizza and called it a night.
Day 23, Gautier
At this point we had been moving from place to place for 22 days straight. Our goal on this day was to remain inanimate. We excelled at it.
Sloth Badge earned today.
Sloth Badge earned today.
Day 22, Gautier (AKA Goiter, by Kris)
We mainly tried to get our sleep pattern under control today. Who would think two time zones would be such a pain? There were times that we were just awful. Watching TV at any time during the day had the potential to turn into an unexpected hour long nap, and sometimes longer. I found myself heading for bed three hours earlier than usual but totally wiped out, and then I would wake up after about an hour of the most awesome sleep, but I was then wide awake. Morning usually came and went without seeing a member of our tribe. We tried to get a handle on it, really we did, but to no avail. Oh well.
Shopping cures just about all ailments, so we gave that a shot. We took a drive down the beach to Biloxi to the coveted mall. There is still quite a bit of devastation in that area considering the amount of time that has passed since Katrina. The creepiest thing is that the whole street used to be lined with huge mansions. Now the only thing left is a few bare foundations and one lonely brick chimney. Most of the large trees weathered the storm without much damage. The ones that didn’t make it were carved into beautiful sculptures and made into a memorial park type thing that sits in the median between the two lanes of traffic. I’m not sure who the artist is, but it is amazing and beautiful and truly art.
We did accomplish the shopping mission, too. I picked out some junk I couldn't live without, and Ma paid for it for my birthday!! I just LOVE it when that happens!! Thanks, Ma!!
Another gorgeous day spent with family and finished with a swim back to Gautier for a fabulous feast and a nap.
Shopping cures just about all ailments, so we gave that a shot. We took a drive down the beach to Biloxi to the coveted mall. There is still quite a bit of devastation in that area considering the amount of time that has passed since Katrina. The creepiest thing is that the whole street used to be lined with huge mansions. Now the only thing left is a few bare foundations and one lonely brick chimney. Most of the large trees weathered the storm without much damage. The ones that didn’t make it were carved into beautiful sculptures and made into a memorial park type thing that sits in the median between the two lanes of traffic. I’m not sure who the artist is, but it is amazing and beautiful and truly art.
We did accomplish the shopping mission, too. I picked out some junk I couldn't live without, and Ma paid for it for my birthday!! I just LOVE it when that happens!! Thanks, Ma!!
Another gorgeous day spent with family and finished with a swim back to Gautier for a fabulous feast and a nap.
Day 21, Gautier (pronounced Go-shaaay in Mississippi)
FATHER’S DAY!!
We got to spend Father’s Day with my dad! He was so lucky, he got to take us all to the beach. What a good sport. Dad did all the driving and setting up the umbrella and feeding the tribe. I hope he had as much fun as we all did. I wonder what he is going to do for me for Father’s Day next year!! I can’t wait! ;o)
We spent all afternoon on Dauphin Island swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. The water temperature was about 85 degrees – just perfect for swimming if you ask me. This is my absolute favorite place to swim on the whole planet. The beach is soft and sandy, and the slope is so gradual we could walk out in the water all the way to Cancun. Or almost. Once in a while we got bumped in the leg by some sort of fish or another, and we found that the hard things we stepped on once in a while were hermit crabs, one the size of a golf ball.
Last year when we were swimming here the jellyfish were out and some of us got stung, mainly Cassie. Apparently it hurts just about like a bee sting. Thankfully it isn’t fatal!! ;o) They aren’t Box jellies or Irakanji jellies – just regular little jellies.
Mississippi is hot. It’s a new kind of hot. You swim through the hot to get anywhere outside. The ‘swim’ sensation comes from two very distinct and separate Mississippi phenomenons (phenomena? phenomeni? flock of phenombus?? Who cares anyway). The first is called humidity. Mississippi humidity is when the air is so full of water that there is a very high likelihood you could drown even though not one inch of your flesh is in contact with a body of water. The second phenomenulidity is sweat – lots and lots and lots of sweat. Everywhere. Your back sweats, your forehead sweats, your pits sweat and your eyes sweat. And if you’re brave enough to wear knit shorts, like some folks are, everyone in town can tell that your butt sweats, too.
Swimming in the gulf or any other body of water is a very pleasant way to enjoy the outdoors while keeping the perspiration down to a slow trickle. We lived in our bathing suits. You might wonder how we got them dry before sitting in the car since it was so humid. Well, in all truth, we didn’t. But it didn’t matter one iota. After all, no matter what you are wearing, it’s either soaked in water or drenched in sweat. I found I much preferred the aroma of the gulf rather than the stench of pit.
Back at the house we had a major feast made by Ma Hayseed of taters and BBQ ribs and fruit soup and about seven other side dishes. An absolutely wonderful meal after so much road food. There is nothing like home cookin, and we ate til we couldn't breathe.
Happy Father’s Day to meeee!!
We got to spend Father’s Day with my dad! He was so lucky, he got to take us all to the beach. What a good sport. Dad did all the driving and setting up the umbrella and feeding the tribe. I hope he had as much fun as we all did. I wonder what he is going to do for me for Father’s Day next year!! I can’t wait! ;o)
We spent all afternoon on Dauphin Island swimming in the Gulf of Mexico. The water temperature was about 85 degrees – just perfect for swimming if you ask me. This is my absolute favorite place to swim on the whole planet. The beach is soft and sandy, and the slope is so gradual we could walk out in the water all the way to Cancun. Or almost. Once in a while we got bumped in the leg by some sort of fish or another, and we found that the hard things we stepped on once in a while were hermit crabs, one the size of a golf ball.
Last year when we were swimming here the jellyfish were out and some of us got stung, mainly Cassie. Apparently it hurts just about like a bee sting. Thankfully it isn’t fatal!! ;o) They aren’t Box jellies or Irakanji jellies – just regular little jellies.
Mississippi is hot. It’s a new kind of hot. You swim through the hot to get anywhere outside. The ‘swim’ sensation comes from two very distinct and separate Mississippi phenomenons (phenomena? phenomeni? flock of phenombus?? Who cares anyway). The first is called humidity. Mississippi humidity is when the air is so full of water that there is a very high likelihood you could drown even though not one inch of your flesh is in contact with a body of water. The second phenomenulidity is sweat – lots and lots and lots of sweat. Everywhere. Your back sweats, your forehead sweats, your pits sweat and your eyes sweat. And if you’re brave enough to wear knit shorts, like some folks are, everyone in town can tell that your butt sweats, too.
Swimming in the gulf or any other body of water is a very pleasant way to enjoy the outdoors while keeping the perspiration down to a slow trickle. We lived in our bathing suits. You might wonder how we got them dry before sitting in the car since it was so humid. Well, in all truth, we didn’t. But it didn’t matter one iota. After all, no matter what you are wearing, it’s either soaked in water or drenched in sweat. I found I much preferred the aroma of the gulf rather than the stench of pit.
Back at the house we had a major feast made by Ma Hayseed of taters and BBQ ribs and fruit soup and about seven other side dishes. An absolutely wonderful meal after so much road food. There is nothing like home cookin, and we ate til we couldn't breathe.
Happy Father’s Day to meeee!!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Day 20, Gautier, Mississippi
Tyler to Gautier is 511 miles. Up at 9:00 a.m. and on the road by 10:30 (which was a world record for us, and very exceptional considering the time changes). We made it to Dad’s house by 7:30 p.m. Whew!!
It was worth every mile.
It was worth every mile.
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